The next new Apple product that'll put the Mac faithful in a frenzy isn't the iPhone. It isn't an eight-core Mac Pro, a flash-based sub-MacBook Pro, or spiffy new features in the operating system.
The next new product the Mac community is waiting for with bated breath is iSight: The Next Generation. Since the iSight was discontinued last year, no one has come up with a mic-equipped replacement. True, iMacs, MacBooks, and MacBook Pros have iSight built in, but the Mac Pro and Mac mini don't. Plus, there are still people out there using iSight-less PowerBooks and iBooks who either have just discovered the wonders of iChat AV, (such as Mac|LIfe's marketing department), or have an iSight that was crushed during a trans-Atlantic flight.
The rumor mill grinded out one whisper of iSight-equipped Cinema Displays in Apple's future. But how many people really want to buy a new display just to get the webcam? There's a demand for Mac webcams, so it's not like there isn't a revenue opportunity for someone. Just do an eBay search for Apple iSight. As I write this, a brand new, unopened iSight (originally priced at $149) is selling for a ridiculous $255. On Amazon, you'll find the iSight for over $300.
MacAlly's IceCam requires additional software for use with iChat AV.
MacAlly's IceCam and Ecamm Network's iMage USB webcam work on the Mac, but they don't include microphones, which means you have to pack yet another piece of hardware in your notebook bag. Also (and not that big a deal), you have to use additional software to make these and other USB webcams work with iChat AV.
The Mac OS 10.4.9 update includes support for USB video class webcams. I haven't seen any third-party mic-equipped USB video class webcams that tout Mac compatibility, but USB video class is part of the specification for Windows Vista compatibility. Theoretically, a Vista-compatible webcam will work on Mac OS 10.4.9. So I'm on the hunt for a Vista-compatible webcam to try this out. In the meantime, I have a couple of old PC webcams created before the USB video class standard. I'll need third-party software to make them work on Mac OS X.
An interesting solution lies with macam. This palindromically-named free software lets you use a wide array of Windows webcams in Mac OS X. The compatibility list include several Creative, Logitech, and Phillips webcams, working with various degrees of success. I tried out macam with two Windows webcams, Intel's CS331 Home PC Camera and Logitech's QuickCam Pro 3000. I had low expectations for both of these cameras, because they're several years old.
According to macam's compatibility list, the Intel camera isn't supported. Here's a screenie of what I got when I plugged the camera in and launched macam.
A whole lotta nothin' going on.
I was successful with the QuickCam Pro 3000, as you can see on the next page.
The QuickCam Pro 3000 and macam worked.
A shot from the QuickCam Pro 3000
Then I tried iChatUSBCam ($9.95), software that lets you use USB webcams with iChat AV. I got nowhere with the Intel Webcam - to be fair, the Intel CS331 isn't on iChatUSBCam's compatibility list.
To use the QuickCam Pro 3000 with iChatUSBCam, I had to uninstall macam and install IOXperts' Webcam Driver for OS X ($9.95). Once the IOXperts driver and iChatUSBCam were installed, the QuickCam Pro 3000 with its built-in mic worked in iChat AV. I also recorded a little movie using QuickTime.
So, in the end, I successfully got a Windows webcam to work on my Mac. If you're tired of waiting for Apple to release iSight: The Sequel, you can go for a PC USB webcam.
1. Start with iChatUSBCam's compatibility list. Check to see if the webcam you're eyeing is on that list. If it is, check to see which driver you'll need; the list will tell you.
2. Download the macam or IOXperts driver (you can't have both installed on your Mac - your webcam won't work).
3. Buy the webcam and save the receipt in case you have to return it.
4. Follow the installation instructions. Good luck.
If you have expereince with using USB webcams and have some helpful advice, post it in the comments section. Also, let me know if there's a mic-equipped Mac webcam out there that's I've missed that'll save us from this somewhat convoluted setup.
